Mailbag: Candidates deserving of honors

September 15, 2010

Congratulations to the Glendale News-Press for your excellent article on the two local citizens currently being considered for the Citizens Redistricting Commission ("Two locals still in the hunt for seats," Sept. 10). It was balanced and accurate and gave readers a good view of why this selection process is so vital.

Outstanding people from all over California have applied. We only need to look at our local candidates, Martha Jimenez and LaDrena Dansby, to see that. This commission will bring together a group of Californians with diverse skills, backgrounds and viewpoints who owe nothing to the politicians and who will be able to fairly redraw the legislative district lines for California.

However, this reform, which has not yet been allowed to work, is already under attack by cynical politicians. There is a measure on the November ballot, Proposition 27, which would completely eliminate the independent commission and put redistricting back into the hands of the legislature. It will be the same old story of back room deals to favor one party or protect incumbents, whatever party they belong to.

Advertisement

Neighborhoods and communities will once again be cut up to ensure that elected officials' jobs are protected. The League of Women Voters urges citizens to reject this outrageous attempt to overturn this important reform Californians voted for just two years ago.

Give the commission a chance to do the job; creating fair districts that give voters a chance to choose elected representatives who represent their interests and who will be accountable to the people who elected them. Vote no on Proposition 27.

Chris Carson

Burbank

Editor's note: Carson is the redistricting program director for League of Women Voters of California.

Check out North Glendale streets for yourself

With all due respect to Carole Weling regarding her latest Mailbag letter on Sept. 10, "Too much whine comes from the South," I believe her complaint about the condition of North Brand Boulevard is baseless.

As a South Glendale resident, I took a stroll on North Brand from Glenoaks to Mountain Street to see for myself and saw well-maintained properties, including two beautiful churches, a library and fire station and quaint restaurants. The older apartment buildings were examples of some great architectural design with well maintained lawns.

I saw no dumped furniture, graffiti, weeds or vacant lots. Seriously, how can she compare this stretch of North Brand with, say, South Glendale Avenue?